Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-01-08

I'M done with politics forever. have
&c ambition beyond my present place. Tho
game Of politics has no allurements for me. I
have no patience with politicians and no de-
sire to mix up with them No sincere friend
Of mine will speak of me In connection with
any political Office. I have seen enough OF
politics to know what it is, and, as we used to
say down in Indiana, the fox who plays with
pitch will surely get tar on his taiI.'n
"But the general mention of your name in
connection with the Office OF president must
be fattering to you, judge protested bis
friend.
mo, 1T is not. 1t is Insulting to say that e
maj would use his judicial position to further
q private ambition. / am heartily in favor Of
an amendment to the constitution which will
make federal judges ineligible TO the office OF
president
After pointing out, as indicative of the
temper Of the people, the number of men who
have sought to step from the bench to the
White House, and failed, the judge added In
q tone which left no doubt of his sincerity:
aAs for the presidency, 1 was long enough
In Washington to perceive that the president
must either engage In a daily relentless fight
with politicians, partisans, and at least a pos-
ton OF the public press, or be must earn
peace by consenting to be led ar round by the
nose.n fa
All interest in the personality of Judge
Gresham must, therefore, be ON the score Of
his ~uprightneSs, learning and fearlessness AZ
q Judge, rather than on account of talk Of
hike as a possible candidate for the prest-
dency. As n judge, knowing neither the fear
nor the favor of the richest and most power
full, and as one who has dedicated his life and
talents to his high office, abjuring all other
ambition and ffowning upon all attempts to
swerye him from the path of duty, he must
command the admiration OF men Of all par
ties.
Walter Gresham is essentially a judge. His
mind is judicial, his temperament peculiarly
that of an arbiter. Though learned in the
law, no has not too much respect for Its ira
ditions. He has little patience with the sopl-
istries Of lawyers, and is In the habit Of BRUSH
ing aside the piles Of legal dust and ancient
cobwebs which barristers so love to throw
about a case, particularly IL 1t be a desperate
one; and Of going straight to the "nubbin" Of
the issue
Some time ago I had occasion to make an
investigation, with a view to learning the per
cent. of successful men in the professions and
trades in Chicago who had begun life as the
sons Of farmers. Tho result Of my inquiries,
made on rather an extensive scale, was sug-
gestive. Nineteen of twenty were, as boys,
choppers Of seed potatoes, the more or less
energetic enemies of weeds and raccoona and
the carriers of water to thirsty harvest hands
In hot and stubbly fields. Judge Gresham;
was one Of the nineteen. Born at Gordon,
Ind. SIS years ago, his father died when
be was but an infant The family WINS poor
and the widow had to struggle for bread.
Young Walter early learned to help her, and
at 16 found employment in the county audi
tors office at Corydon. That enabled HIM to
keep his mother and at the same time to study
law. Finally he hung out his shingle in tho
country village, and IL isiust possible that
but for the exciting events of 1860 a rusty tin
sign might still adorn a wooden building In
Corydon and present to the gsseof passers
by the legend: